POWER is an organization of low-income parents and allies advocating for a strong social safety net while working toward a world where children and care giving are truly valued, and the devastation of poverty has been eradicated.

POWER News for February 29, 2016

March POWER Outage

Seed & Sprout Exchange (with FREE seeds from GRuB!)

Monday, March 7, 5:30 pm

POWER, 309 5th Avenue SE, Olympia WA 98501

Seed & Sprout Exchange with FREE Seeds from GruB! Bring your garden ideas, dreams and plans, and your extra seeds and sprouts, and we’ll learn from each other and share together. Kids are welcome and it is a potluck!

below:

Still time to submit written testimony against a bad food stamp bill.

Ask legislators to pass anti discrimination housing bill!

Speed Roommating and Monthly Housing Workshop in Olympia.

Economics for Everyone Reading Group.

Job opportunities from Portland to Seattle!

1. Please testify against this bad food stamp bill!

The Senate Human Services heard SB 5776 on Monday, Feb. 22. DSHS testified against it. Summary: This bill would end DSHS’ ability to waive work requirements for SNAP benefits – resulting in a total loss of SNAP benefits for 69,000 current recipients currently (and more recipients in the future).

During welfare reform, Congress changed the rules for food stamp eligibility for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs): if you are 18-49 y.o. and an ABAWD who is not working or in work-related activities for more than 20 hours/week, you are limited to receiving only 3 months of benefits every 3 years. EXCEPT: this ABAWD work requirement can be waived in areas where the unemployment rate is higher than the national average (i.e. you can’t punish people for not getting a job that’s not there). In WA right now, 36 and a half counties are covered under this waiver. This bill would prohibit DSHS from requesting that waiver,
and ABAWDs in every one of those counties would be subject to the 3 months
every 3 years limit on food stamp benefits if they can’t find work or workfare. Worse, this bill would even prohibit DSHS from accepting a waiver offered by USDA, such as the blanket waiver that all states were granted beginning in 2008 during the recession because every state’s unemployment was too high.

2. Anti-discrimination housing bill

My name is John Hannaman. I am a disabled federal fire fighter, and I use a Housing Choice (Section 8) voucher to help pay my rent. This week, the legislature will decide whether or not to pass a law that would ban discrimination against me. Will you help me urge them to vote yes?

Advocates like us have an opportunity right now to make a real difference in the lives of so many people who rely on assistance to help pay the rent. House Bill 1565, if passed, would outlaw the practice of rejecting rental applications based solely on a person’s source of income. I use a Section 8 voucher to pay my rent and each time I’ve moved I’ve been turned away by countless landlords who wouldn’t even consider my application. I am a great tenant and a good neighbor. It’s insulting that people like me are assumed to be problem tenants just because we use a voucher that allows us to afford a safe and healthy home. This law would open many doors to me that are currently closed.

Will you join me in this simple action? Email your Representatives and ask them to pass House Bill 1565:

I testified before the House Judiciary Committee on February 2nd and told lawmakers that those of us who use housing assistance should have the same chance as everyone else to rent an apartment. I’m not asking for any favors — just the same chance as everyone else. Will you send them that same message?

3. Speed Roommating & Monthly Housing Workshop!

Thursday, March 3, 3 – 5 PM

Each month we host a Housing event in 2 parts: a Workshop, followed by “Speed Roommating. The workshop is always about Housing: how to find it, how to keep it.

This month’s presenter is Leslie Owen, housing attorney with Northwest Justice Project (http://www.nwjustice.org), who will be presenting on landlord-tenant rights. What’s a 20-day notice? Is my eviction legal? What are my rights? Ask questions and learn from Leslie and your peers in the room.

Followed by Speed Roommating: the best kept secret for Oly folks looking for a room or roommate. Meet people quickly, get their vibe, learn about their house, connect. Or meet someone else without a room, combine forces (and incomes!) and find a place that works for both of you!

4. Economics for Everyone’s next featured book is Black Against the Empire by Joshua Bloom and Waldo E. Martin.

We will be meeting at the Mixx96.1 conference room, 119 NE Washington St., Olympia, WA 98501, near Cafe Vita, Saturday March 5th from 1 – 3PM to discuss the book.

In Oakland, California, in 1966, community college students Bobby Seale and Huey Newton armed themselves, began patrolling the police, and promised to prevent police brutality. Unlike the Civil Rights Movement that called for full citizenship rights for blacks within the U.S., the Black Panther Party rejected the legitimacy of the U.S. government and positioned itself as part of a global struggle against American imperialism. In the face of intense repression, the Party flourished, becoming the center of a revolutionary movement with offices in 68 U.S. cities and powerful allies around the world.

Black against Empire is the first comprehensive overview and analysis of the history and politics of the Black Panther Party. The authors analyze key political questions, such as why so many young black people across the country risked their lives for the revolution, why the Party grew most rapidly during the height of repression, and why allies abandoned the Party at its peak of influence. Bold, engrossing, and richly detailed, this book cuts through the mythology and obfuscation, revealing the political dynamics that drove the explosive growth of this revolutionary movement, and its disastrous unraveling. Informed by twelve years of meticulous archival research, as well as familiarity with most of the former Party leadership and many rank-and-file members, this book is the definitive history of one of the greatest challenges ever posed to American state power.

For each book we will host a discussion of the reading and collaboratively decide what to do with our new insights: plan direct actions, give presentations, conduct local group research, or something else. The success of these reading groups depends upon active participation, so please come having read the book (or simply as much as you can) and ready to share comments, ideas, and questions!

If you can’t afford the books, we have you covered. Just message us with your name, primary email, and phone number and we will get you the reading.

5. Job Opportunities from Portland to Seattle!

Equal Exchange is Hiring!

Customer Service RepresentativeLocation: Portland, OregonCompany Description: Equal Exchange is a fair trade organization and coffee roaster headquartered in West Bridgewater, MA. Founded in 1986, our mission is to create more fair trade relationships between farmers and consumers. We bypass the conventional marketing system by cutting out middlemen and buying directly from farmer cooperatives. Equal Exchange supports equal employment opportunity for classes of people who are generally oppressed or are denied power and privilege in society. These classes of people include (but may not be limited to) people who are discriminated against based on race, ethnicity, sex, religious creed, age, disability, size, sexual orientation, gender orientation or expression, marital status and economic status. We welcome feedback and ideas concerning our efforts to diversify.Job Description:

How do you think U.S. consumers think about and understand fair trade? What should Equal Exchange’s role be in the current fair trade market?

How does Equal Exchange fit into the vibrant Pacific Northwest coffee culture and why are you interested in becoming part of a small, worker-owner sales/distribution team?

Organically Grown Company (OGC) is Hiring!

Quality Assurance & Production SupervisorLocation: Portland, OregonCompany Description: Organically Grown Company, the Northwest’s Premier distributor of organic produce is seeking a full-time Quality Assurance & Production Supervisor to be based out of its Portland location. With warehouses in Portland and Eugene, Oregon and Kent, Washington, OGC serves over 200 natural and fine foods stores and restaurants located throughout western Oregon and Washington, as well as retail and wholesale accounts in other western states and Canada. Check out our web site (http://www.organicgrown.com) to read about our commitment to sustainable business practices. Organically Grown Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer.Job Description:
This position is primarily responsible for supervising the work of the repack department including defining and achieving goals for safety, customer service, accuracy and efficiency. The position is also responsible for leading cross-functional initiatives that will drive core process improvements such as how product is repacked, inventoried, replenished and shipped. The supervisor is responsible for directing repacks through the production line or tables as they see fit. Decisions must be based on work flow and efficiencies.

Responsibilities:

Perform all supervisory responsibilities for assigned staff, which include scheduling, assigning work, hiring, training and development, and addressing/documenting performance or disciplinary issues.

Develop daily and bi-weekly staffing schedules to match the labor hours available to the work required

Develop and define SOPs and manufacturing processes

Work in conjunction with purchasing, sales and inventory maintenance to assure sufficient levels of product packed and labeled to customer’s specification. Ensures sufficient inventory of supplies used for repack (e.g. PLU labels, boxes, etc.).

Assists Director of QA to develop and manage the repack budget.

Works with the IM to maintain a production schedule for the repack line. Includes implementing production guidelines and work flow, cleanliness, and food safety tracking.

Performs other duties as assigned, which may include but are not limited to attending meetings, preparing reports, and facilitating communication between departments.

Ensure that all OGC Operations are complying with Company policy, state and federal statutes regarding workplace safety, food safety, transportation safety and employment laws, and that all practices are administered in a fair and equitable manner.

Works in close collaboration with the maintenance team to schedule routine/preventative maintenance and to perform or schedule repairs to production line equipment.

Works in collaboration with Food Safety team to assure full GFSI compliance and assuring adherence to daily cleaning/sanitation schedules for equipment and work surfaces.

Responsible for proper reporting of all accidents, and for ensuring all staff receive necessary safety training.

Follow GFSI as stated in employee handbook.

Comply with OGC workplace safety rules and policies.

Qualifications:
Position typically requires a High School diploma, or equivalent with a minimum of 3-5 years of related work experience in produce trade, Warehousing, Receiving, Inventory Control, or Materials Management along with 2 years Supervisory experience. Bi-lingual (English & Spanish speaking) preferred. Knowledge of produce varieties preferred. Must have experience using enterprise resource planning software and the ability to train others on the Company’s computer software program; or must have the computer skills necessary to learn and use a variety of computer software programs. Strong knowledge of GFSI compliance preferred. Must be able to safely drive forklift equipment, or have the ability to learn safe forklift driving skills. Previous experience with use and basic repair of packing/sorting line equipment preferred. Previous work experience in a perishable products industry and packing shed preferred. Knowledge of sustainable business practices preferred. Experience with workplace longevity, working a required schedule, showing up consistently and on time. Must have the ability to learn and use a variety of computer software programs. Basic math skills required.

What experience do you have that qualifies you for this position with OGC?

What is the most challenging work you have performed in your employment history?

Why might you want to work for OGC?

What is your current/target compensation level?

Thank you for your interest.

RUNA is Hiring!

Sales RepresentativeLocation: Seattle, WashingtonCompany Description: RUNA is a Brooklyn-based social enterprise that makes beverages brewed with guayusa tea, and improves the livelihoods of Amazonian farming families through its supply chain. Recognized on Inc Magazine’s List of 500 Fastest Growing Companies in the country, Runa is realizing rapid acceleration and development in the market. Runa supports over 3,000 farming families and is pioneering a new way of doing business in the Amazon. Runa’s products are sold in over 7,000 stores across the country, and are an effective alternative to the legions of artificial beverages and energy drinks on the market.Our Expectations: The incumbent must be self-guided, proactive, people-oriented and extremely well organized. They must have the ability to effectively communicate goals and needs and respond nimbly to developing situations, and have the willingness to go the extra mile. RUNA sales leaders create and seek out systems that support efficiency and efficacy in all areas of work. We are looking for a RUNA sales representative who will uphold the value system of our unique and purpose driven business model, exceed sales targets. and make bold moves. RUNA Sales Representatives evaluate themselves on their ability to cultivate fearlessness, set and execute goals, grow partnerships and shelf-presence, and make bold moves.Responsibilities:

Impeccable attention to character so to represent RUNA in the highest light.

Persistent focus on maintaining/increasing shelf presence in top accounts.

Develop positive and friendly relationships with staff in key accounts.

Previous experience in grocery and/or sales is preferred but not required.

Applicants must already be living in the Seattle area, or be willing to relocate to the area for this role.

Applicant must be willing to utilize their personal vehicle.

Compensation will be commensurate with experience and will include a stipend for use of personal vehicle.To Apply:
Please submit resume and a video cover letter as soon as possible, with the subject line “(Your Name) – Seattle Sales Rep Application” to david@runa.org. For the video cover letter, using your phone or computer’s camera please make a simple video that is roughly 2 minutes long, responding to the following prompts:

Briefly introduce yourself (name, where you’re from, what you do now)

Describe yourself and your personality (what makes you unique, how do other people describe your key traits and attributes)

Mention why you’re interested in working with RUNA and what you can contribute to our team.

After recording your video, please upload it to Youtube as private video and invite David (david@runa.org) to view it, or send the video file using another file sharing source to David.